Undergraduate Admissions

2017 Western Commitment Scholarship (4-years)

Western Commitment Scholarships reward students with excellent academic ability who demonstrate achievement in high school by offering 4-year scholarships towards the cost of attendance at Western Illinois University.

New freshmen who submit all application materials for admission, by May 15, are automatically considered for Western Commitment Scholarships. No separate scholarship application is required to be considered for a Western Commitment Scholarship. Awards are based on student’s high school GPA and ACT/SAT score. High school GPA will be based on weighted or unweighted GPA, which ever is higher, and converted to a 4.0 scale. The ACT score considered is the highest composite score submitted to WIU. Students can enter as new freshmen in any semester but the Western Commitment Scholarships may only be used for Fall and Spring semesters. The scholarship will be distributed half in the fall semester and half in the spring semester. Western Commitment Scholarships are renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study at WIU by maintaining eligibility requirements.

Students may move up in scholarship levels if they improve their ACT/SAT scores prior to the start of the academic year.

Scholarship Grid

SAT

ACT/GPA

4.00+

3.99-3.90

3.89-3.80

3.79-3.70

3.69-3.60

3.59-3.50

3.49-3.40

3.39-3.30

3.29-3.20

3.19-3.10

3.09-3.00

1600

36

$40,000

($10,000 ANNUALLY)

1560

35

1520

34

1490

33

1450

32

1420

31

1390

30

1350

29

$12,000 - $28,000

($3,000 - $7,000 ANNUALLY*)

1310

28

1280

27

1240

26

$10,000 - $24,000

($2,500 - $6,000 ANNUALLY*)

1200

25

1160

24

1130

23

$8,000 - $20,000

($2,000 - $5,000 ANNUALLY*)

1100

22

1060

21

1020

20

Scholarships Levels

$10,000

Minimum ACT of 30 or SAT of 1340 (before April 2016) or SAT of 1390 (after April 2016)

Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

$3,000

Minimum ACT of 27 or SAT of 1220 (before April 2016) or SAT of 1280 (after April 2016)

Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

*$3,000 guaranteed and up to an additional $4,000 ;based on financial need.

$2,500

Minimum ACT of 24 or SAT of 1110 (before April 2016) or SAT of 1160 (after April 2016)

Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

*$2,500 guaranteed and up to an additional $3,500 based on financial need.

$2,000

Minimum ACT of 20 or SAT of 950 (before April 2016) or SAT of 1020 (after April 2016)

Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

*$2,000 guaranteed and up to an additional $3,000 based on financial need.

Scholarship Eligibility

In order to receive a Western Commitment Scholarship students must complete high school with a cumulative GPA above the minimum criteria for the award level, maintain continuous full-time enrollment (12 hours or more) each semester at WIU, maintain a cumulative WIU GPA of 3.0 or better, reside in University Housing for the first 3 years of enrollment and maintain good standing with regard to the Code of Student Conduct, and submit a completed FAFSA to WIU. Any violations of the Code of Conduct will be reported to the coordinator of the scholarship program. Students who are placed on Disciplinary Probation or a more severe sanction will face rescission of their Western Commitment Scholarship.

Students receiving the $10,000 scholarship will also be required to actively participate in the Centennial Honors College. Students who are eligible to receive the $10,000 scholarship but who do not want to participate in the Honors College for 4 years, and reside in University Housing may elect to accept a $3,000 scholarship if they comply with the criteria for the next tier scholarship amount.

International students are also eligible for the Western Commitment Scholarship. In addition to the stated eligibility criteria noted above, international students must also demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the TOEFL or IELTS exams. International students will not be required to submit a FAFSA, but must submit their Declaration of Finances to the Center for International Studies.

How the Scholarship Works

Western Commitment Scholarships anchor the student’s financial aid, added after tuition waivers, federal grants, and state grants to cover direct costs such as tuition, fees, room, and meal plan. Western Commitment Scholarships will not disqualify students from receiving loans to cover additional costs of attendance such as books and travel. Students who do not expect to receive need-based aid are still required to submit a FAFSA in order to be eligible to receive a Western Commitment Scholarship. Students requesting consideration under Illinois Public Act 93-7 will not be required to submit a FAFSA, but will need to submit an affidavit of intent to apply for citizenship in order to receive a Western Commitment Scholarship.

Western Commitment Scholarships will cover up to the entire direct costs (tuition, fees, room, and meal plan) above federal grants, state grants, federal loan eligibility, and tuition waivers if applicable. The Western Commitment Scholarship will not reduce student’s eligible grants. Students may not receive additional variance dollars of Western Commitment Scholarships above the total direct costs; however, any competitive scholarships through the University Foundation or outside scholarships may be used above the total direct costs.